REFUGE

THIS IS THE MESSAGE OF ALL WHO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO SAVE THE PLANET:

Christ

Mohammed

Ghandi

Nelson Mandelaactual five

Martin Luther King

Michael  Jackson

~all in a struggle with power, greed, jealousy, those threatened by pure love~

“To be a star you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don’t worry about the darkness…for that is when the stars shine brightest.”

Napoleon Hill

~Magical child was ready to bowACTUAL

Sow the seed, pick up the plough

With effortless ease, without a sigh

Without a tear, without a cry

With silent perfection

Under God’s direction

To sing together as one race

Stem the tide, transform this place

Michael Jacksonabout twelve

Of late, we have been subjected to a world pointing out violence and devastation, the paint still wet on a portrait of human suffering.  Many voices urge us toward separatism with a distrust of those whose path winds differently from ours.  Seeing into the heart of darkness is both horrifying and seductive, for it creates in it a fear which overtakes us with hopelessness and distrust…putting us in a constant state of great distress.  How contagious hatred can be.  Has hell taken the place of paradise?

~Our problems are manmade

~They can be solved by manactual two

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

When coming face to face with tales of madness, our answers must be drawn from the light.  This light shapes our way of seeing, focusing not on ourselves, but on others.  It shines on those outcast by circumstance, molding us into peaceful warriors…without limitations or condition…whose spirits never die.

“In the stillness  of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair.”

Howard Thurmanabout three

“Today, we stand together all around the world, joined in a common purpose, to remake the planet into a haven of joy and understanding and goodness.  No one should have to suffer, especially our children.  This time we must succeed.  This is for the children of the world.”

“What we need to learn from children isn’t childish.  Being with them connects us to the deeper wisdom of life which is ever present and only asks to be lived.  They know the solutions that lie waiting to be recognized in our own hearts.”

Michael Jacksonabout fourteen

In Rumi’s words: ~Not only the thirsty seek the water, the water as well seeks the thirsty~  Few have the gifts Michael Jackson possessed, and few have been chosen to cause a love moment of gargantuan size, encompassing the entire planet…to SAVE the planet.   Wisdom and solutions are to be found in the profound simplicity of a child’s heart.

“For without laughter, without joy, without smiles, without happiness, without magic…there’d be no children.

Their souls are the universe.  See it sparkle through their eyes and know we’re all constellations connected in the same, great big world of love.actual four

Love that exudes through the pores of children all over the world, ready to hug, kiss, talk to, laugh and comfort anyone and everyone!  To them, everyone deserves that!  There are no limitations and conditions to their heart.

Oh, we can learn so much from children!”

Ashley Sullivan

Khalil Gibran tells us that ~The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom, but rather, leads to the threshold of your mind~  Michael Jackson has led us as the most powerful teacher of our time, for he touches every age, every race, every culture, every religion.  Through his artistry and his mantra of What do you need and how can I help…all is revealed:about seven

~Now be silent.  Let the One who creates the words speak~ 

~He made the door

~He made the lock

~He also made the key

Rumi

I believe that Nelson Mandela was correct when he said…History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children.

In the light of morning, in the middle of the night, when swimming in doubt or drowning in pain, in the joy of a giggle, when faith is clouded, when a need for escape overtakes us, when dancing is the only thing that will help, when singing at the top of our voices empowers…we find our sanctuary in MICHAEL JACKSON.  He shows us the changes that need to be made…turning random acts of kindness into INTENTIONAL ACTS OF KINDNESS. 

“He made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible.  He walked with the Universe on his shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings.”actual seven

Ariana

Our hearts and minds have been touched profoundly this month.  Two treasures revealed…Greg Gorman’s photograph of Michael the Dancer, deep in creative thought…and, the exquisite parable written by Brenda Jenkyns with the magnificent Siren and her beautiful paintings.  These treasures offer hours of study and layers of learning, true to Michael Jackson Excellence…giving blood and soul to the work.

“The Maestro devoted his life to giving all of himself to the world.  Eventually, the seventh childtime came when he chose to close his eyes for the last time and melt into the melody again, in the form of pure love.  At that instant, an exquisite glow radiated out across the land, kindling Sparks of Creation within the hearts of people everywhere. The people looked at each other in a new way, and saw  that there were no differences between them.  The Knowledge of Oneness shone away thoughts of separation.  They chose to devote their lives to becoming their true selves, inspired by the Maestro.  They did this by expressing their creativity, and by loving one another as he had loved them.  Many who hadn’t known the Maestro in life felt their hearts open, and began to remember the Oneness that had been so long forgotten.  The land was filled with artists, dancers, writers, bakers, teachers, healers and endless other expressions of the soul.  The Dance of Life that the Maestro had  demonstrated became their Truth.  They were wrapped in His Beloved arms once again. “

Brenda Jenkyns and Siren

The 7th Child is dedicated FOR MICHAEL, OUR MAESTRO.  It is a masterpiece of word and picture…a parable offering greater wisdom with each visit.

Greg Gorman’s photograph offers layers of discussion and has garnered many ABOUT TWENTYviewpoints.  For me, it has been a pictorial definition of Siren’s words:  Heaven hath no beauty greater than this.  It has haunted my dreams, setting me aright with a key to rekindling my creativity.  After a month of quiet at the page, both The 7th Child and the Gorman photograph have inspired me to new words.  Finding REFUGE in Michael’s artistry and in the artistry of those inspired by him, such sanctuary has given new blood pulsing through my veins…expressions of my soul…finding my true self.about ten

~Nature caresses you, the rhythm of each dawn and each sunset is part of you…the falling rain touches your soul and you see yourself in the clouds that are playing tag with the sun~

A Child is a Song

Michael Jacksonabout eight

“I want tolerance and harmony between mosques and churches.  Together we are one.  Religion shouldn’t make enemies.”

Ahlam  11 years old from Gaza

~Magical  children, don’t worry how

Don’t delay, this moment’s now~

Michael Jacksonabout two

Our refuge is in Michael Jackson’s artistry and legacy, his message and life…

“For to have faith is to have wings.”  Peter Pan

I love you all!

Jude